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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 10-25-2017, 06:35 AM  
HD Pentax-DA★ 11-18mm f/2.8
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 474
Views: 72,263
Interesting. I would have expected a Pentax-branded Tokina 12-28/4 but apparently this is a completely new lens. Good to see they’re still investing in the APS-C lens line-up.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 10-22-2017, 02:43 PM  
Pentax Value
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 61
Views: 6,989
Ok, the topic has moved on a bit, but I'd still like to respond.



It's not so much the change itself. I just thought I needed permission. I was not my own best friend. And that was a state of mind that I also exhibited in other areas, which caused me to not develop myself as a person or a photographer. I thought that would be clear from reading between the lines in my posts, but maybe I was wrong.

But I'm unsure if I want to write about this personal stuff even further. I'm feeling pretty exposed in what appears to be a less-than-friendly environment. Maybe my own contributions in the past have helped to create that environment, but still. I also get the sense that some people feel victimised. Or at the very least they selectively read my posts. Nowhere did I say or imply that people here are fools for using Pentax. In fact I've said everyone should choose whatever they want. And if Pentax feels good to you, use Pentax. So how they reach that conclusion is beyond me. Reading it really drained the energy out of me, and in the end I really wish them the best of luck in their lives, because I don't want to talk about photography with them anymore, as that will apparently lead to this negative tone. If a person is not interested in my opinion, he or she can ignore it. Fine with me. I simply responded to the request in the first post.



I hope I have clarified this by now.



I assume those photographer friends made those choices probably because they wanted to. The same goes for me.

I have also stated before that I have gotten results I was happy with out of my Pentax gear. When I write that I have more faith in Nikon than in Pentax, I'm not saying Pentax is bad or no-one should have faith in Pentax. I simply try to explain what has led me to this choice, as apparently people would like to know (they responded to my original post, after all). I think it is important to be confident about your equipment, right? I'm not saying Pentax is not worthy of that confidence. I'm not even saying that Pentax can't get me the shots I'm getting with Nikon. I'm simply saying that I have more confidence in Nikon gear. Nothing more, nothing less. That is how it is for me.

Whether or not that's of interest to you is a different matter. But I'm not responding to monochrome or Rondec but to the person who started this thread.

But while I'm writing this post, I realise I'm already anticipating more replies like "the rant continues", "even more of his useless opinion", "he likes his own voice", etc. If it happens, it is not on me. All I'm doing is trying to explain why I feel the way I feel. Not because my own opinion is more important than that of others (of course it isn't), but because I care about what other people think of me. Even monochrome or Rondec. Most people would consider this a flattering thing. It was always because of this. But I get stomped on. At least that's how it feels. And all for some stupid brand. If that's what it means to be a Pentaxian, I'm glad I'm out.

I can't help if people misinterpret my posts and feel victimised. Sorry, but that is also not on me. I truly wish everyone here the best of luck in their lives. For some people, I feel that is all I can say to them at this point.

Maybe it's my English. I hope it is, because then it's not you or me.

I'm putting myself in the most vulnerable position here I can think of. All I ask is that people don't stomp on me. I didn't have to post this. But like I said, I care about what other people think of me. Maybe too much. But again, that's a flattering thing about all of you (and some people in particular; you know who you are). And that's probably also why I'm still here. Even after having been away for 4,5 months. So decide what to do.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 10-21-2017, 06:31 PM  
Pentax Value
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 61
Views: 6,989
I guess the only way to respond to this is wishing both of you the best of luck in your lives.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 10-21-2017, 02:10 PM  
Pentax Value
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 61
Views: 6,989
Well, then just maybe my 10-day Vipassana meditation course and 4,5 month trip have paid of.

edit: I read "better", not bitter. Which in itself may say something about my state of mind now that I've made this choice.



I have gotten many shots I'm happy with with my Pentax gear. I'm just not willing to invest in it any more. My goal was never to develop skills to make the camera work. My goal was to learn and improve my photography. Whatever that means I'm just beginning to discover.



I choose Nikon, but it really isn't that important. Not to me anyway, other than the fact that you have to have faith in your gear. For me, I have more faith in Nikon. It feels better. Beyond that, though, it's not important. It's a starting point. The gear allows you to shoot. But it still has a viewfinder and a shutter release button, just like Pentax. I still have a way to go from that point of view. Like how to act in a way that allows me to e.g. capture meaningful moments between perfect strangers on the street without them being upset about it. That's what I'd like to do. I can think of that now.



Me neither. I simply responded to his request for experiences from people who jumped to other brands.

---------- Post added 10-21-2017 at 11:20 PM ----------



I think I'm probably able to influence people close to me in a big way. Actually, I know I am. With forum members, though, not so much, I think. But if I have, I'm sorry. It was never my intention. I was just in a bad situation and felt powerless to do anything about it.



Well, if they honestly feel that way, they should jump. Like I said, gear is not so important, but people should make the choices they're happy with, whatever the rest of the world thinks about those choices (unless they're violating the law or something).

And if you feel positive about Pentax, good, stay with it. If it is the best starting point for you to be able to not focus on gear but to focus on creating something meaningful (to you anyway), great.

As for universal standards, I don't care about that. It sounds too much like what other people find "normal" and can only serve to drown out my inner voice.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 10-21-2017, 01:30 PM  
Pentax Value
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 61
Views: 6,989
Yeah it is getting weird.

I'm not trying to influence your happiness. But you seemed to imply that I was capable of doing exactly that:



At least that's how I read it. So that's what I responded to. I'm not trying to make anyone unhappy.

This is kind of a ridiculous discussion though. Let's end it.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 10-21-2017, 12:25 PM  
Pentax Value
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 61
Views: 6,989
So I can't let you be happy or unhappy.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 10-21-2017, 11:43 AM  
Pentax Value
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 61
Views: 6,989
If you are happy, that's nice. I have no control over that happiness.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 10-21-2017, 09:43 AM  
Pentax Value
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 61
Views: 6,989
From where I'm standing, Pentax could have done this earlier. Instead they focused on all kinds of SR features and fullframe.

And if I am living in the past, can you please point out the present Pentax f/2.8 crop standard zoom lens? Or the present pro-quality Pentax telezoom for, say, around 1200 euros?

And since Pentax now has to think about selling their fullframe stuff, I don't think they will release these lenses any time soon, if ever. Even if they do, I can get cheaper used Nikkors, for fullframe or for crop.

Maybe the past has hurt so much that I don't have much faith in the future with Pentax. That ship has sailed.

And also, it is not just the lenses. When it comes to AF performance, it's the body too. But I'm not going into this again. I have come to terms with the fact that people here seem to look at it very differently from me. I think we both know what would happen if we were to continue this discussion, right? Do you want to go there? Cause I don't.

So I'll just summarise by saying I'm happier shooting with Nikon.

For me, it's also like this: I never showed much emotion to Pentax anyway. It was just a tool. But people on forums love their brand, and they show it. There's nothing wrong with that, but all the while I was thinking "but it's not as good for me as what I've seen from Nikon". So when I finally did show emotion, because it had gotten too much for me, it was negative. Which people on the forums don't understand because they only see the surface, not everything that goes on inside.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 10-21-2017, 08:12 AM  
Pentax Value
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 61
Views: 6,989
I'm currently selling off all my Pentax gear, having travelled for 4,5 months with a Nikon D7100, 12-24/4, 17-55/2.8 and 70-200/4 VR. When I came back home, I saw my K-3 on the table with the 16-50 attached. Picked it up, focused a few times, and that's when I knew I would switch. Even on this forum people sometimes admit SDM as in the DA* lenses is a joke. Sorry, but I can't laugh anymore.

Pentax does have its advantages. I think it's an excellent brand for their lower-end value. A K-70 with kit lenses and maybe Limiteds is great. But the whole DA* stuff has broken me up. I'm sorry, I can't take it seriously anymore. And that's no basis on which to invest into even more expensive fullframe stuff. Assuming I'd even find their offerings in that segment attractive, which I don't. For one thing, the new Tamron rebadged DFA's are more expensive than the original Tamrons, yet they've taken out some stuff (stabilisation). For another, I have little interest in big and heavy f/2.8 fullframe zooms.

So yes, I am losing some money. But I gain freedom. And I need freedom if I want to become a better photographer. Photography is about freedom in the first place. I think I forgot that.

Not that I really need to lose money btw. I could get the Tokina 16-50 and 12-24 for my D7100. Optically they are the same as the Pentax lenses, but they are cheaper. And actually I paid 300 euros for my AF-S 85/1.8. The Pentax 70 Limited I bought was more expensive and a bit slower.

But I wouldn't want to go back to the performance of my 16-50. The AF-S 17-55/2.8 is just so much better. Bokeh-wise, AF speed-wise and sharpness-wise. It's bigger and heavier, but much better. And the 70-200/4 VR is smaller and lighter than the 60-250/4, so that makes up for it. Actually, it more than makes up for it; in this case, my Nikon gear is lighter than my Pentax gear.

As for other Pentax advantages, yes the UI is better, yes it has IBIS with all the features that that offers, yes it has weather sealing, yes it feels very nice in the hand. So it has the icing on the cake. It's just a shame that the cake itself isn't as good as others.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 05-21-2017, 02:24 AM  
Pentax, autofocus and the future
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 287
Views: 30,309
@Normhead With back-button AF you can use AF-C 100% of the time.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-15-2017, 01:02 AM  
Anyone replace a DA 17-70 with DA 16-85 or DA 18-135?
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 15
Views: 3,253
So here's the thing: if the 18-135 is not so good from 70mm onwards, and you do want good image quality, the 17-70 offers that in the same range, plus 1mm more at the wide end and a constant aperture. Also I've read that the 18-135 is f/5.6 from 78mm on.

Regarding the importance of edge sharpness (I won't go as far as extreme corner sharpness), I have also put the 17-70 at f/5.6 or f/8 and 70mm and got tack sharp landscape shots of an island in Khao Sok national park. So to me it is important, at least when you close the aperture down a bit.

As for range, I also brought the 55-300 (and the 35/2.4 as well). But, despite getting a few nice shots with the 55-300, I more often wished I had something wider.

Yup, continuing to make a case for this lens. :)
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-14-2017, 02:18 PM  
Anyone replace a DA 17-70 with DA 16-85 or DA 18-135?
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 15
Views: 3,253
Yeah, I remember when I took my first 17-70 with me on a trip to Laos and Cambodia. The lens was very nice to use, but the AF was all over the place.

What I like about it though, is that 70mm f/4 gives you decent portrait capabilities. I shot these in Thailand several years ago with my second copy:



Forum: Pentax K-70 & KF 05-13-2017, 08:37 AM  
Should I upgrade to K-70
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 10
Views: 2,352
Impossible to answer.

How do you use your K-5? What is important to you? Compared to the K-70, the K-3 II has a more advanced AF, better build quality, deeper buffer I believe, but it lacks a flash.

And even after all of this, I would never tell anyone he or she "should" upgrade. It's not my decision, it's yours. I can tell you what I might do, that's all.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-13-2017, 04:01 AM  
Anyone replace a DA 17-70 with DA 16-85 or DA 18-135?
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 15
Views: 3,253
I have been a long-time fan of the 17-70. I really came to appreciate this lens while traveling. For me it is the perfect do-it-all lens, in the sense that it doesn't have the compromises inherent to a longer zoom lens, has a constant aperture, and still a better range than "professional" glass. It sits smack down in the middle in that regard, which makes it incredibly versatile.

Having said that, I do wish build quality would be better, and my first sample in particular had unreliable AF. But the second one fixed that.

I wouldn't want to go with a longer lens if I wasn't convinced of the image quality of that lens at the long end, and that's what made me weary about the 18-135. Plus I wouldn't want to give up any wide-angle range. The 16-85 is probably much better, but you lose a stop at the long end. Again, not something I'd look forward too.

In your position I'd probably take a long and hard look at the Sigma 17-70/2.8-4. But then you're giving up weather resistance. Or the 16-85, but then you're giving up a stop at the long end.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-13-2017, 03:13 AM  
Why 28 and not 24?
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 83
Views: 7,326
Maybe I have different feet than other people, but mine don't provide any more depth to the image.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-13-2017, 02:57 AM  
Do I need a DA40mm Limited?
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 28
Views: 2,404
Since both lenses offer the same image quality, this is really a personal decision based on build quality and maybe some other small differences. Maybe you don't need it, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't get it. Decide what you want.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-11-2017, 04:15 AM  
70-210mm constant aperture F4
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 13
Views: 1,312
The DA* 60-250/4 can be modified to cover the fullframe image circle.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-09-2017, 01:01 AM  
Why 28 and not 24?
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 83
Views: 7,326
I just looked up my original comment and I only mentioned APS-C glass in response to a comment made by biz-engineer, not the OP, regarding the purpose of this lens and its zoom range. He said that the 28-105 was a great landscape lens, I commented that personally, I'd like something wider for landscapes: 24mm on fullframe or 16 on APS-C.

I feel I shouldn't have to elaborate on this because it was a personal opinion as I stated. Actually, this isn't even important. It was a reply to biz-engineer's comment. Maybe it wasn't clear what I meant because people assumed I have a K-1. If that's the case, it's cleared up now. So can we please move on? Thank you.

Anyway, Spodeworld is the OP and he specifically mentions he would hate to give up the wider range of his 16-85 on crop for the 28-105 on FF. So it IS about range and he's already in the equivalence ballpark, so to say. Maybe we should let him decide which comments are useful to him and which are not?
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-07-2017, 09:21 AM  
Why 28 and not 24?
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 83
Views: 7,326
You say you don't care about equivalence, but you also say I can't discuss the 28-105 if I don't have a K-1. Sorry, you lost me.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-07-2017, 08:35 AM  
Why 28 and not 24?
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 83
Views: 7,326
The thread is about why the 28-105 starts at 28 and not 24. My posts should be read in that context.

Besides, if people don't care about equivalence, why did they ask if I have a K-1?
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-07-2017, 06:01 AM  
Why 28 and not 24?
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 83
Views: 7,326
Like I said before, I don't have a K-1. But the 17-70/4 equates to a 26/27-105 in fullframe terms, and the 16-50 equates to a 24-75. I kind of figured people would make that connection.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-06-2017, 02:49 AM  
Kickstarter lens adds Pentax support
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 113
Views: 11,482
If you get the FA31, maybe you can modify it like the guys at TCSTV did with an 85mm lens to get the Petzval effect:














You Tube




Skip to 17:48.

Edit: nevermind, this is not a Petzval. Sorry.
Forum: General Photography 05-05-2017, 10:00 AM  
New Nikon Nikkor lens is made cheaper than Pentax/Zeiss/Sigma/Samyang/Rokinon lenses!
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 39
Views: 3,520
Canon has 24 and 40mm STM pancakes that comes close to the 40mm Limited in terms of size (not sure about build quality), but Pentax has an entire line of DA Limiteds from 15 to 70mm (personally I think the FA limiteds are a different breed - faster, more expensive and a bit bigger/heavier).

My Nikon 85/1.8 is not too shabby either in terms of build quality. In fact I'd say there's nothing wrong with other manufacturers' build quality. It's just that the Limiteds are so nicely made.



Well, I do think Pentax probably needs lenses like that too. And actually, I have been advocating they drop the FA 31 Limited (I know - heresy) because it stops them from making a really fast 35mm. Having said that, at the time I advocated that they did not have a fullframe camera yet, and on APS-C there are just too many competing 35-ish lenses: 31/1.8, 35/2.4, 35/2, 35/2.8 Macro and 40/2.8.

But that is another story.
Forum: General Photography 05-05-2017, 05:39 AM  
New Nikon Nikkor lens is made cheaper than Pentax/Zeiss/Sigma/Samyang/Rokinon lenses!
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 39
Views: 3,520
So you're saying it might just as well have been incredibly well sealed against water, while still being vulnerable to sweat?
Forum: General Photography 05-05-2017, 02:08 AM  
New Nikon Nikkor lens is made cheaper than Pentax/Zeiss/Sigma/Samyang/Rokinon lenses!
Posted By starbase218
Replies: 39
Views: 3,520
A few years ago, I held my K-3 and 16-50 while in a narrow open boat on a jungle river in Malaysia. The water was pretty wild, and at one time came thrusting into the boat, soaking me and my camera. After that, I decided to put it in my watertight bag, just in case the boat would tip over.

Still, anecdotal evidence doesn't prove a thing. I don't know if my Nikon gear would have survived the ordeal. Or maybe I got lucky.

---------- Post added 05-05-2017 at 11:28 AM ----------



I find this very hard to believe. I mean, I want to believe you, but are you implying that the thousands of professional Nikon photographers out there have to contend with this?

Sorry, but this is too far a stretch for me. Being a third-hand story, I have to wonder how close it is to the truth.
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